This service is designed to allow HPFF users to alert the staff about inappropriate reviews.

Review:

Violet Gryfindor says:This story examines Snape's mind and heart in an original way, making him less filled with hatred for James or Harry, and I really liked that you changed that aspect of Snape's characterization in fanfiction. It makes sense that he blames himself over and over, and that's what spirals him downward. He sees Harry and is constantly reminded of his mistake, his betrayal. It's more realistic, or at least explores a side to Snape that contains more psychological depth and complexity. It's too easy to make him despise James and make choices based on that hatred, such as his treatment of Harry. But to instead have Snape unable to control his impulses and be so confused makes him more human (rather than a caricature of someone bitter and unforgiving).

The idea of everything boiling down to that one moment on the stairs is emotionally moving because it's like something out of a classic tragedy - a true moment of fate that could have been prevented, but somehow wasn't. It makes me wonder why Snape reported the prophecy without thinking it through first, why he told it without realizing who it could have been referring to. It's such a lapse in judgment, and while it suits his impulsiveness (just like when he called Lily a Mudblood), it goes against his intelligence. He should have known better, and that's why it's such a painful thing for him.

The way that you've written all of these things (and more) into this one-shot is fantastic. I liked the use of repetition at the beginning - it emphasized the haunting power of memory. It's an incredibly vivid moment in his mind, and it makes me wonder how often it appears before him, reminding him of his fatal error. One grammatical issue that I picked up was actually in the last line, where the verb tense felt off - it's a moment in the past, so I think it should instead read "he hadn't jumped".

Great work with this! I'm glad to have been able to read yet another of your one-shots, especially one about Snape. I'll definitely be on the look out for more from you. :D

Author's Response: I'm just going to let you know that this review put a HUGE smile on my face! ♥ Thank you so much for leaving me this lovely review!
Whenever I read a Snape fic, it's always about how he hates James and Harry and I never perceived him as that way. He was just jealous of James, and looking at Harry reminded him about Lily and that's why he was so cruel to him. Well, that's my opinion at least. :p
Snape was human, as much as it is strange to admit. :p
The stair thing is basically saying any thing you do can affect someone in a huge way - I've had to deal with that and all I can think is 'What if?' and when I was writing it, I thought Snape would feel the same way, so I put it in there. :p
I kept trying to use repetition but I was afraid that I over-used it, but I'm glad to hear that it emphasised the haunting power of memory! (I don't know how to reword that so I'm just using your sentence :p).
Hmm... that does make more sense! I'll change that very soon! Thanks for pointing it out! :)
You don't understand how happy I am that you are glad that you read two of my stories! I'm legit grinning from ear to ear.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LEAVING ME THIS AMAZING REVIEW! ♥